How did the vegan journey start for both of you? It’s the “in” thing – Beyoncé and Jay-Z eat vegan, J.Lo eats vegan. KFC is doing vegan food, McDonald’s is doing vegan food in other countries. You can taste the food and say, “Wow, that’s vegan?” Before, “vegan” had a bad reputation now, it’s cool. You don’t have to be vegan, but you can come here and have that option. John: Proper nutrition and health is important. Medjine: When your sister asks why you don’t eat meat or why you only eat plant-based foods, you always mention that. I come from a family of diabetes and high blood pressure, and everyone has it except for me. I’m a living testament – I’ve been vegetarian/vegan for the past 26 years and I’ve never gotten sick in my life. We don’t preach veganism, we just provide an option for those who want healthier choices. The idea behind Vibez is to eventually be an element in the bigger picture of nutrition. We’re a part of the whole vegan lifestyle. There are a lot of other vegan places popping up – like the new Plant Base on Pacific Ave.
People are making the connection between food being the poison and food being the cure. Right now, with the Internet and technology, people are starting to become more aware. John: We want to be part of the whole vegan ecosystem in Jersey City. Students can come in here and I’ll be tutoring those who may not be doing well in math. As a teacher, I’ve spoken to some of the teachers at the M.E.T.S Charter School to introduce a weekly math tutoring program on Wednesdays. In terms of the community, we have a lot planned. Medjine: When people walk in, they don’t even think about the name “Vibez,” they always say they like the energy here. What do you hope the community feels upon walking in? Medjine: We’ve lived in Downtown Jersey City for the past 27 years, so we wanted to open the cafe here. Is there a reason why you chose the Heights or Jersey City in general? You don’t have to be vegan, but you can eat vegan. We’re both vegan, and so are our sons, and want to provide a platform for those who want a different choice when it comes to food. The kids who were well fed and better nourished performed better, so with that in mind, she eventually thought to create a platform in the Heights, which is an up-and-coming neighborhood. John: Throughout all her years of teaching, she’s always said there’s a strong correlation between education and nutrition.
I thought it would be a great platform to give back.
We wanted to serve and give back to the community. Medjine: As a teacher, I saw a correlation in what we eat and what it does to the body. Where did the idea behind Vibez Juice Cafe come from? I produced Wyclef Jean’s last two singles and have worked with different artists from Justin Bieber to Mary J Blige. John: I’m a music producer I write and produce music. Medjine: I’m a mathematics teacher of 19 years.
#Vibez vegan cafe full#
We decided to pass by on a Tuesday afternoon to get the full vibe of the space and learn more about the mission behind the cafe. Opened by Medjine Altino and her husband John “Jube” Altino, Vibez Juice Cafe was created through Medjine’s connection to education. Recently, the Heights welcomed a new business to the neighborhood that promotes healthy living and plant-based treats – Vibez Juice Cafe. The Jersey City Heights is filled with gems, from coffee shops to pizzerias to fresh food markets.
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